Whisky Club JHB: 2012

Friday, 14 December 2012

November/December Event: Whisky under R200

On 1 December 2012, Clyde hosted our last meeting for 2012. With the festive season upon us, we decided to focus on "budget friendly" whisky. Clyde gathered popular whisky's which retail around R200. We also added the bottle of Three Ships which we had recently won.

Hosted at the Club House in Clyde's complex, the night was rather chilly for December! But Clyde advised that whisky has medicinal purposes too and we would be fine!

Clyde started us off with Bushmills - our first Irish whisky. We had a debate as to whether we should lead with Irish or Scottish and it was decided that once you have Scottish, Irish doesn't taste the same. However, we do need to do some more research on this.

Bushmills - The oldest legal whisky in the world! Vanilla custard, stewed fruit and creme brulee on the nose. Distinctive oily coating on the pallette and linger notes of honey

Next up was The Black Grouse

The Black Grouse was very earthy on the nose and strong notes of lemon. Andrea was taken by the deep amber colour of the Grouse. Various descriptions of the taste included earhty, flora, light peat and chocolate. Light, long finish.

A well known whisky, Bells was next on the table

Bells has a rich golden colour. The nose is earthy with a definite forest and wood scent. The taste is nutty with hints of fortified wine and a linger of peat. The whisky disappears and doesn't hold. Much better as a cocktail ingredient than neat.

Back to the Irish with Jameson

We watched a video about Jameson whisky and the great fire - very interesting. Jameson has a floral and vanilla nose. A very smooth whisky with a spicy hint and sherry finish.

And finally, the South African made Three Ships 5yr old premium. The nose is also earthy and the taste is of honey, earthy and with a peat finish. A very enjoyable whisky.

The crowd were divided on their favourites. It was agreed that Bells was not a favourite. The Black Grouse and Jameson were two favourites for sure!

The night was finished off with a toast to Guy and the enjoyment of the whiskies.

More photos can be viewed here

Photos: Whisky under R200

All set - tasting notes, glass, crackers and ice

The tasting range

Bushmills

Tasting

Lots of discussion around Famous Grouse and The Black Grouse

Excellent notes

Observing the colour

Pouring a smaple

Maybe a bit more?

The tilting glasses became a talking point too!

Give that man a Bells

The tasting table

Jameson time

Watching the Jameson video

Enjoying a dram

Three Ships 5yr

Plenty to discuss and drink

Enjoying whisky!

Sunday, 18 November 2012

Next meeting: 1 December

Date: 1 December 2012

Time: 19h00

Place: Kerrin & Clyde's (address to be sent on confirmation of attending)

Cost: R200pp

Tasting: The goal is to taste a selection of whiskies that retail for under R200

Kindly please send your email address to whiskyclubjhb@gmail.com to receive formal invitation.

RSVP and payment no later than 29 November 2012

Wednesday, 7 November 2012

October Event: Johnnie Walker

On 27 October, after Western Province beat the Sharks, we gathered to begin our Johnnie Walker tasting night. Despite the cold weather with unseasonal wind and rain, 8 of us braved the outdoors to sit down and begin enjoying one of the world's most popular blends.

After a brief introduction to Johnnie Walker, the history and the story of how it all began, Richard led us in a tasting. As this was our first official tasting, we also learnt the recommended way to taste whisky.

Our personal notes from the tasting:
Red Label - vanilla is strong on the nose, definite smoky undertone and a lingering spice.
Black Label - In terms of colour, more gold than the red, and the nose is distinctly citrus. Picked up a sherry flavour along with a long smoky finish
Green Label - The smokiness of the Green is lighter, the entire whisky just softer. Floral notes on the nose.
Platinum - Sweeter than the rest of the range. A sublte smoky flavour with hints of "Christmas"

Swing - Darker in colour and very similar to a bourbon. A sherry flavour is stronger than the Johnnie Walker distinct smokiness.

What was interesting to note was the distinctive smoky flavour that carries through all the Johnnie Walker whiskies. The history of the bottle design and label arrangement was interesting. By contract, the Swing bottle caused a lot of discussion (and was played with). The bottle is able to rock back and forth - designed to be enjoyed on a ship!

We also watched the Johnnie Walker "Man who walked around the world" video.

Interesting was going back to Red Label after enjoying the entire range. It was concluded that you definitely cannot go back after having tried Green & Platinum.

The favourites?

Red Label remains a classic and Black Label will always be enjoyed. Swing was not very popular. As for the most populat whisky? It's a tie between Green and Platinum.

A fan of Johnnie Walker? Why not join The Striding Man Society

See more photos under the photo gallery.

This post and the event are in no way affiliated to Johnnie Walker. The opinions are our own and we purchased the whisky with our own money.